The Barton branch is full of interest for the devotee of branch
lines:
a line that time forgot, with hand-opened level crossing gates,a single line token exchange, Great Central signal boxes, and wayside
stations used by only a handful of people riding its Class 153single-unit"bubblecars";to its passengers, the service is a real
lifeline.

Thornton Abbey station serves the ruins of the Abbey (open to public
at certain times) and a scattering of farm cottages and also has a
directbus service from and to Ulceby five days a week when schools are
open!

It has no fewer than three types of signs: LNER running-in boards
(superbly restored),modern "Northern" ones and a BR-style double-arrow -- all in rural
isolation, untroubled by passengers!

Here the gates over the Goxhill - East Halton road at Thornton Abbey
are being opened by hand,ready for the approaching Cleethorpes - Barton service.

The Class 153 draws into Thornton Abbey -- "That's a first" said
the driver to the photographer (the only passenger)- indicating that daytime stops and passengers are a rarity. The
LNER running-in boards for many yearspropped on the platform surface, have now been lifted, mounted and
repainted and make a fine view from passing trainswith the abbeys medieval gatehouse in the background.

Arrival at Barrow Haven and the guard checks that the passenger
(travelling from Manchester Airport)is in a safe position before dispatching the train to Barton.

The single track on the New Holland-Barrow Haven-Barton section
looks rickety andworn as the single car unit clatters away from Barrow Haven.